using pololu avr programmer for 3.3v powered boards

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hi all,

I'm trying to squeeze more out of my arduino by using native c code and basically leveraging the available libraries while using the avr features directly.

I'm using a bluetooth bee which is basically a wireless rs232 coupled with atmega 168.

The thing is that to flash it i am using the pololu usb programmer, and unless i connect the power to 5v, the programmer refuses to flash the micro-processor.
So for now, i connect the 5v for the 12 seconds of burning the flash, crossing my fingers that these 12 seconds will not have a dramatic effect, but something tells me
there gotta be another way.

Did anyone use avr pololu usb programmer for 3.3v arduinos ?
If so - how do you get around the powering issue ? (unless i connect the 5v, the device is not responding, at least that is what the avrdude tells me)

Thank you.
Lenny

2

Do you unplug the xbee while programming? If so, I don't see where you'd have an issue from what you have said.